Nutrition

Extract

Recent contributions to our knowledge of the chemistry of vitamin A. M. T. Bogert, Jour. Chem. Ed., 11, 1934, No. 4, pp. 203–207 (Ref. Experiment Station Record, Vol. 71, 1934, p. 584).

The steps leading up to the recent synthesis of perhydro vitamin A by Karrer and his coworkers are reviewed concisely, as well as other attempts made to reach this same goal. The significance of ionene as a degradation product of vitamin A is discussed, and the synthesis of the former is outlined. The possibility of many vitamin A isomers is pointed out and the fascinating opportunities of startlingly important discoveries in this field of investigation.